Acupuncture points, or acupoints, are one of the most influential Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, and one that has recently garnered attention worldwide. Learn about the functions and basic knowledge of acupuncture points from our interview with Professor Wai-zhu, Professional Consultant of the School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and author of Eighty-one Major Acupoints: Traditional Applications and Modern Experimental Findings (Chinese Edition), a book on the traditional practices of and contemporary research on the 81 essential acupuncture points.

Types and Characteristics of Different Acupuncture Points

"Acupuncture point was a concept that eluded ancient China according to the history of TCM. People back then would massage certain points of the body at times of ailment or pain, until they realised pressing certain pressure points resulted in pain alleviation. The Inner Canon of Huangdi, the medical text for TCM written 2,000 years ago, is a compilation of the experience and knowledge of acupuncture passed down for thousands of years, and serves as a fundamental doctrinal text with systematic theories and scope of application regarding acupuncture points," elaborated Professor Sun Wai-zhu on the origin of acupuncture points.

Unlike Western medicine's organ-specific practices, TCM believes in the meridians as a vital life source, and acupuncture points are the 'points' along these meridians. "Think of the meridians as a railway system," said Professor Sun. "Acupuncture points are like stops in the system." With the meridians connecting all the vital organs in the human body, acupuncture points are indicators of physiological and functional health. "There are three major characteristics of acupuncture points. Firstly, acupuncture points have standardised and exact locations, meaning an acupuncture point isn't just any point on the skin – there are 361 internationally recognised classical acupuncture points, and 48 extra acupuncture points whose knowledge has been passed down through history and considered clinically effective by modern-day medical assessment. Secondly, the acupuncture points connected to a certain organ are the sole acupuncture points that can cure ailments in that particular organ, which cannot be achieved by acupuncture points responsible for other organs. Thirdly, each and every acupuncture point is unique with its own functions; no two acupuncture points are the same."

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture points along the lung meridian (11 points, responsible for the respiratory system) and the stomach meridian (45 points, responsible for the digestive system) are the most commonly used acupuncture points. "Acupuncture points along the kidney meridian are also given heavy emphasis in TCM as the kidney is regarded as the source of life in the human body, and therefore indispensable in the research on life nourishment."

For anyone who desires to treat diseases or improve health with acupuncture treatment, it is wise to consult a registered TCM practitioner beforehand, as our physique and health vary. "With its speedy effectiveness, acupuncture is normally used to treat uncomplicated diseases; chronic diseases are treated with the complementary use of prescription. Certainly, however the disease is treated also depends on individual cases – prescription becomes unnecessary if the prescription a person has always taken does not show any effectiveness. Generally speaking, acupuncture proves effective more than half of the patients without the need of prescription."

Acupuncture and Wellness

"Acupuncture on the acupuncture points on the legs and feet is an effective cure for osteophytes (or bone spurs), joint degeneration or degenerative joint disease," said Professor Sun as he elaborated on the benefits of acupuncture for diseases common in senior citizens. Meanwhile, acupuncture on over 10 certain acupuncture points can also activate and nourish the brain to prevent dementia as a result of stroke." However, for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, acupuncture may not cure the disease but serves only as a complementary treatment, or a treatment that provides immediate alleviation. "It's important to know that while most TCM practitioners would use the safest, easiest and most effective acupuncture points, that shouldn't mean that other less commonly used acupuncture points are any less effective," stressed Professor Sun.

According to Professor Sun, pressing acupuncture points can be done at home for life nourishment as well. "It's easily done by pressing the points to release a sense of comfort. And it's okay even if you press the wrong acupuncture points as that would only render the massage ineffective. The zu san li point (located three inches below the knee, between the two tendons), for instance, can treat gastrointestinal diseases, poor appetite, poor nutrient absorption, stomach ache, diarrhoea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal degeneration or difficulties. The zu san li acupuncture point is best used with the warm needle acupuncture such as moxibustion, where the moxa (made from dried mugwort) is burnt and used to warm the acupuncture point for 10 minutes. Through improving the circulation of blood and qi, this type of acupuncture can strengthen and maintain health."

In addition, the guan yuan point (three inches below the navel) and qi hai point (1.5 inches below the navel) are effective for anti-ageing, health and immune system reinforcement purposes; nei guan (two inches above the wrist crease) is a life-saving acupuncture point that can relax chest tightness, correct irregular heartbeat and nausea by pressing on it with objects with rounded ends, such as the eraser end of a pencil. "For safety purpose, it's best to have a bowl of a small amount of water ready when practising warm needle acupuncture, so that you can easily cut off and dispose of the burning end of the moxa after use, and leave the rest of the moxa for future use," advised Professor Sun, who also stressed the importance of practising moxibustion in ventilated area, and distinguishing any flame when done. "The acupuncture points mentioned above are particularly suitable for middle-aged and senior citizens as they are effective for life nourishment, health maintenance, and anti-ageing."

There are currently numerous short-term courses on TCM healthcare and life nourishment treatments such as acupuncture and acupuncture point therapy, offered at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Hong Kong. "However, the study of biology and systems theory of TCM would be necessary if you're looking to understand acupuncture and acupuncture points in depth," said Professor Sun.


Special Thanks:
Professor Sun Wai-zhu, Professional Consultant of the School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong